Automotive rearview mirror assembly

An automotive rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said automotive rearview mirror assembly comprising:

• an electrochromic reflective element;
• wherein said electrochromic reflective element provides a rearward field of view to a driver of a vehicle equipped with said automotive rearview mirror assembly;
• said electrochromic reflective element comprising an electrochromic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate;
• wherein said first substrate is closer to the driver of the equipped vehicle than said second substrate when said automotive rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the equipped vehicle;
• wherein said first substrate has a first surface and a second surface;
• wherein said first surface is closer to the driver of the equipped vehicle than said second surface when said automotive rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the equipped vehicle;
• wherein said second substrate has a third surface and a fourth surface;
• wherein said third surface is closer to the driver of the equipped vehicle than said fourth surface when said automotive rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the equipped vehicle;
• a transparent electrical conductor disposed at said second surface of said first substrate;
• a mirror reflector disposed at said third surface of said second substrate;
• said mirror reflector comprising a metal layer;
• an on-demand display that is viewable through said mirror reflector by the driver of the equipped vehicle when displaying information and that is substantially non-viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle when not displaying information;
• display control circuitry for controlling said on-demand display;
• electrochromic mirror dimming circuitry for controlling dimming of said electrochromic medium;
• wherein said display control circuitry at least one of (a) shares a component with said electrochromic mirror dimming circuitry and (b) shares circuitry with said electrochromic mirror dimming circuitry;
• a video camera and a headlamp controller;
• and
• wherein said electrochromic medium comprises at least one of (i) a viologen, (ii) a phenazine, (iii) 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine, (iv) a heptyl viologen, (v) a distryrylmethyl viologen, (vi) an ethylhydroxypropyl viologen, (vii) propylene carbonate, (viii) an ultraviolet stabilizer, (ix) a phenothiazine, (x) a metallocene, (xi) a cross-linked polymer, (xii) a plasticizer, (xiii) a polychromic solid film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecyl viologen perchlorate, diphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate, a ferrocene-polyol, ferrocene and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in propylene carbonate in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xiv) a polychromic solid film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecylphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate, diphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in propylene carbonate in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xv) a polychromic solid film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecyl viologen perchlorate, ethyl viologen perchlorate, a ferrocene-polyol, ferrocene and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in a mixture of tertraethyleneglycol dimethylether and tetramethylenesulfone in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xvi) a cathodic electrochromic compound, (xvii) an anodic electrochromic compound, (xviii) a cathodic electrochromic compound and an anodic electrochromic compound and (xix) an electrochromic cross-linked polymer solid film.

An automotive rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said automotive rearview mirror assembly comprising:

• an electrochromic reflective element;
• wherein said electrochromic reflective element provides a rearward field of view to a driver of a vehicle equipped with said automotive rearview mirror assembly;
• said electrochromic reflective element comprising an electrochromic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate;
• wherein said first substrate is closer to the driver of the equipped vehicle than said second substrate when said automotive rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the equipped vehicle;
• wherein said first substrate has a first surface and a second surface;
• wherein said first surface is closer to the driver of the equipped vehicle than said second surface when said automotive rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the equipped vehicle;
• wherein said second substrate has a third surface and a fourth surface;
• wherein said third surface is closer to the driver of the equipped vehicle than said fourth surface when said automotive rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the equipped vehicle;
• a transparent electrical conductor disposed at said second surface of said first substrate;
• a mirror reflector disposed at said third surface of said second substrate;
• said mirror reflector comprising a metal layer;
• a video camera and a headlamp controller;
• wherein said video camera comprises a CMOS video microchip;
• electrochromic mirror dimming circuitry for controlling dimming of said electrochromic medium;
• wherein said at least one of said video camera and said headlamp controller at least one of (a) shares a component with said electrochromic mirror dimming circuitry and (b) shares circuitry with said electrochromic mirror dimming circuitry;
• and
• wherein said electrochromic medium comprises at least one of (i) a viologen, (ii) a phenazine, (iii) 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine, (iv) a heptyl viologen, (v) a distryrylmethyl viologen, (vi) an ethylhydroxypropyl viologen, (vii) propylene carbonate, (viii) an ultraviolet stabilizer, (ix) a phenothiazine, (x) a metallocene, (xi) a cross-linked polymer, (xii) a plasticizer, (xiii) a polychromic solid film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecyl viologen perchlorate, diphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate, a ferrocene-polyol, ferrocene and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in propylene carbonate in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xiv) a polychromic solid film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecylphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate, diphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in propylene carbonate in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xv) a polychromic solid film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecyl viologen perchlorate, ethyl viologen perchlorate, a ferrocene-polyol, ferrocene and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in a mixture of tertraethyleneglycol dimethylether and tetramethylenesulfone in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xvi) a cathodic electrochromic compound, (xvii) an anodic electrochromic compound, (xviii) a cathodic electrochromic compound and an anodic electrochromic compound and (xix) an electrochromic cross-linked polymer solid film.

An automotive rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said automotive rearview mirror assembly comprising:

• an electrochromic reflective element;
• wherein said electrochromic reflective element provides a rearward field of view to a driver of a vehicle equipped with said automotive rearview mirror assembly;
• said electrochromic reflective element comprising an electrochromic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate;
• wherein said first substrate is closer to the driver of the equipped vehicle than said second substrate when said automotive rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the equipped vehicle;
• wherein said first substrate has a first surface and a second surface;
• wherein said first surface is closer to the driver of the equipped vehicle than said second surface when said automotive rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the equipped vehicle;
• wherein said second substrate has a third surface and a fourth surface;
• wherein said third surface is closer to the driver of the equipped vehicle than said fourth surface when said automotive rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the equipped vehicle;
• a transparent electrical conductor disposed at said second surface of said first substrate;
• a mirror reflector disposed at said third surface of said second substrate;
• said mirror reflector comprising a metal layer;
• a plurality of features included in said automotive rearview mirror assembly;
• said plurality of features comprising at least two selected from the group consisting of (i) a video camera, (ii) a headlamp controller, (iii) a garage door opener, (iv) a component of an intelligent highway system, (v) a component of a toll transaction system, (vi) an on-demand display that is viewable through said mirror reflector by the driver of the equipped vehicle when displaying information and that is substantially non-viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle when not displaying information, (vii) an array of light-emitting diodes, (viii) a loudspeaker and (ix) an antenna;
• electrochromic mirror dimming circuitry for controlling dimming of said electrochromic medium;
• wherein said automotive rearview mirror assembly comprises an automotive interior rearview mirror assembly;
• and
• wherein said electrochromic medium comprises at least one of (i) a viologen, (ii) a phenazine, (iii) 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine, (iv) a heptyl viologen, (v) a distryrylmethyl viologen, (vi) an ethylhydroxypropyl viologen, (vii) propylene carbonate, (viii) an ultraviolet stabilizer, (ix) a phenothiazine, (x) a metallocene, (xi) a cross-linked polymer, (xii) a plasticizer, (xiii) a polychromic solid film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecyl viologen perchlorate, diphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate, a ferrocene-polyol, ferrocene and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in propylene carbonate in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xiv) a polychromic solid film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecylphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate, diphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in propylene carbonate in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xv) a polychromic solid film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecyl viologen perchlorate, ethyl viologen perchlorate, a ferrocene-polyol, ferrocene and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in a mixture of tertraethyleneglycol dimethylether and tetramethylenesulfone in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xvi) a cathodic electrochromic compound, (xvii) an anodic electrochromic compound, (xviii) a cathodic electrochromic compound and an anodic electrochromic compound and (xix) an electrochromic cross-linked polymer solid film.

An automotive rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said automotive rearview mirror assembly comprising:

• an electrochromic reflective element;
• wherein said electrochromic reflective element provides a rearward field of view to a driver of a vehicle equipped with said automotive rearview mirror assembly;
• said electrochromic reflective element comprising an electrochromic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate;
• wherein said first substrate is closer to the driver of the equipped vehicle than said second substrate when said automotive rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the equipped vehicle;
• wherein said first substrate has a first surface and a second surface;
• wherein said first surface is closer to the driver of the equipped vehicle than said second surface when said automotive rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the equipped vehicle;
• wherein said second substrate has a third surface and a fourth surface;
• wherein said third surface is closer to the driver of the equipped vehicle than said fourth surface when said automotive rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the equipped vehicle;
• a transparent electrical conductor disposed at said second surface of said first substrate;
• a mirror reflector disposed at said third surface of said second substrate;
• said mirror reflector comprising a metal layer;
• a video camera included in said automotive rearview minor assembly;
• wherein said video camera comprises a CMOS video microchip;
• electrochromic mirror dimming circuitry for controlling dimming of said electrochromic medium;
• wherein said automotive rearview mirror assembly comprises an automotive interior rearview mirror assembly;
• and
• wherein said electrochromic medium comprises at least one of (i) a viologen, (ii) a phenazine, (iii) 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine, (iv) a heptyl viologen, (v) a distryrylmethyl viologen, (vi) an ethylhydroxypropyl viologen, (vii) propylene carbonate, (viii) an ultraviolet stabilizer, (ix) a phenothiazine, (x) a metallocene, (xi) a cross-linked polymer, (xii) a plasticizer, (xiii) a polychromic solid film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecyl viologen perchlorate, diphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate, a ferrocene-polyol, ferrocene and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in propylene carbonate in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xiv) a polychromic solid film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecylphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate, diphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in propylene carbonate in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xv) a polychromic solid film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecyl viologen perchlorate, ethyl viologen perchlorate, a ferrocene-polyol, ferrocene and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in a mixture of tertraethyleneglycol dimethylether and tetramethylenesulfone in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xvi) a cathodic electrochromic compound, (xvii) an anodic electrochromic compound, (xviii) a cathodic electrochromic compound and an anodic electrochromic compound and (xix) an electrochromic cross-linked polymer solid film.

An automotive rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said automotive rearview mirror assembly comprising:

• an electrochromic reflective element;
• wherein said electrochromic reflective element provides a rearward field of view to a driver of a vehicle equipped with said automotive rearview mirror assembly;
• said electrochromic reflective element comprising an electrochromic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate;
• wherein said first substrate is closer to the driver of the equipped vehicle than said second substrate when said automotive rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the equipped vehicle;
• wherein said first substrate has a first surface and a second surface;
• wherein said first surface is closer to the driver of the equipped vehicle than said second surface when said automotive rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the equipped vehicle;
• wherein said second substrate has a third surface and a fourth surface;
• wherein said third surface is closer to the driver of the equipped vehicle than said fourth surface when said automotive rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the equipped vehicle;
• a transparent electrical conductor disposed at said second surface of said first substrate;
• a mirror reflector disposed at said third surface of said second substrate;
• said mirror reflector comprising a metal layer;
• wherein said metal layer is undercoated by a transparent undercoating layer;
• electrochromic mirror dimming circuitry for controlling dimming of said electrochromic medium;
• a video camera and a headlamp controller, and wherein said video camera comprises a CMOS video microchip, and wherein said at least one of said video camera and said headlamp controller at least one of (a) shares a component with said electrochromic mirror dimming circuitry and (b) shares circuitry with said electrochromic mirror dimming circuitry;
• wherein said electrochromic medium comprises at least one of (i) a viologen, (ii) a phenazine, (iii) 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine, (iv) a heptyl viologen, (v) a distryrylmethyl viologen, (vi) an ethylhydroxypropyl viologen, (vii) propylene carbonate, (viii) an ultraviolet stabilizer, (ix) a phenothiazine, (x) a metallocene, (xi) a cross-linked polymer, (xii) a plasticizer, (xiii) a polychromic solid film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecyl viologen perchlorate, diphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate, a ferrocene-polyol, ferrocene and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in propylene carbonate in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xiv) a polychromic solid film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecylphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate, diphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in propylene carbonate in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xv) a polychromic solid film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecyl viologen perchlorate, ethyl viologen perchlorate, a ferrocene-polyol, ferrocene and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in a mixture of tertraethyleneglycol dimethylether and tetramethylenesulfone in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xvi) a cathodic electrochromic compound, (xvii) an anodic electrochromic compound, (xviii) a cathodic electrochromic compound and an anodic electrochromic compound and (xix) an electrochromic cross-linked polymer solid film;
• and
• an on-demand display that is viewable through said mirror reflector by the driver of the equipped vehicle when displaying information and that is substantially non-viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle when not displaying information, and wherein said on-demand display comprises a multi-pixel display.